Post-Doc Research Associate (Kelada)

The Kelada Lab is seeking a post-doctoral associate to join their research program on the pulmonary response to the air pollutant ozone. In particular, we are looking for an associate with an interest in characterizing the role of genetic variation in response to ozone in mice. We seek to uncover mechanistic linkages between the genome (e.g., DNA sequence variants), epigenome (e.g., chromatin status), and gene expression elicited by the air pollutant ozone in vivo, and to understand how these parameters relate to hallmark ozone induced airway inflammation and injury phenotypes. More specifically, our project will leverage genetically diverse from the Collaborative Cross mouse genetics reference population to decipher new pathways by which ozone causes epigenomic and transcriptomic changes in alveolar macrophages that subsequently determine adverse pulmonary responses to ozone exposure.

We are looking for an enthusiastic post-doctoral associate to join this project and help lead efforts to generate and analyze these datasets. The successful candidate will gain experience in a number of cutting-edge genomic analyses techniques, become familiar with the Collaborative Cross mouse resource that is increasingly being used in many research disciplines including toxicology, and gain knowledge in the molecular effects of ozone on the airway.

The post-doctoral associate will have the opportunity to learn from lab members and other members of the pulmonary and toxicology research communities at UNC, which are exceptionally strong. The associate will also have the opportunity to work with a strong bioinformatics team at UNC to analyze the transcriptomic responses to ozone, and the research project and environment will provide ample opportunities for training in these approaches.

Importantly, these projects will provide training that will translate into future research projects for ambitious and motivated scientists with aspirations for their own independent research careers in academic or private company settings. In addition to research, the post-doctoral fellow will be actively involved with writing scientific papers and presenting talks at scientific meetings.

Experience with in vitro and/or in vivo models of respiratory/inhalation exposure, including cellular readouts of exposure-induced pro-inflammatory signaling and/or gene expression.

Experience analyzing high-throughput sequencing data (e.g., RNA-seq). Candidates must be self-motivated, enthusiastic, and should have strong communication skills.